GOAL MACHINE SAVES PHIL'S BLUSHES

Match Report: 22.1.08

Colours: Stewart, John, Paul B, Badge, Rich B, Rich, Paul L, Tony
Yellows: Rob, Scott, Rupert, James, Mark GM, Phil, Jimmer, Steve C

Score: Colours 7-7 Yellows

What a game tonight, as the pace was quick, with some excellent individual performances. None more so than the goal machine who was back to his best with a 6 goal haul. To be honest at times it seemed like it was goal machine vs the Colours. Even Badge's hatrick played second fiddle to this display.

The game got off to a pretty pedestrian start and the first goal scored by Jimmer took a while to come, but Mark GM soon added a second. At this point the Yellows were reasonably comfortable but cue a mad 5 minutes when the whole game turned on its head via some calamity goal keeping from Phil. First a long range shot by Badge seemed comfortable for Phil, but he got his feet in a mess, then he decided to go for a ball with his feet instead of catching it, followed by a tame shot hitting both his legs before going in.

After this the Colours, not surprisingly, had their tails up and completely dominated, scoring a 4th and it appeared they would go on to win the game with ease. However they forgot Mark who stirred into life with some outstanding individual play to score 6 goals. It did at times become a solo affair, against the Colours who had the better team. I know now how Ringo felt, or Howard and Jason in Take That, not forgetting Brian May in Queen (not that Mark prances around in a leotard).

The game changed leads several times before we all settled for a draw! At the end of the game Scott was disappointed he only did one dummy and had one shot, there's always next week.

Man of the Match: I'm often criticised for picking goal scorers, but no one can argue with Mark GM getting it 6 goals and an outstanding display.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR CURSE STRIKES AGAIN

Match Report: 8.1.08

Yellows: James, Rupert, Badge, Jimmer, Phil, Steve C, Rob, Scott, Paul P (1st half)

Colours: Stewart, Tom, Paul B, Mark GM, Al, Rich B, Rich, Tony, Paul P (2nd half)

Score: Yellows 5 - 1 Colours

Ever since Matt Taylor won the player of the year in 2003, every award winner went on to lose the next couple of games and this is what has happened to Mark GM tonight. In fact the Colours lost badly tonight and were never really in contention after Badge's early strike from a Jimmer pass.

So a New Year and new things, like new gloves, Phil returned and a new ball. The latter did not go down well with the natives as it appeared hard to control (not just me saying this) and it ballooned in the air when it bounced off the floor. This coupled with the fact it was very windy made it a very scrappy, error strewn game (although there were some comical clearances and shots on goal). At the end of the game Jimmer suggested to Tom that he should bring a beach ball to the next game, though Tom, after being on the losing side, was in no mood for joking.

Out of the untidy game came a solid performance from a team that James put together. Stewart has been riding high recently with plenty of wins and must have been happy with his choice of team. However this week it was his team that produced a limp performance and were well beaten by a team who hardly let them have a sniff of their goal. Indeed the only goal they scored was a late consolation when the defence for once decided to go for a stroll up the pitch.

The Yellows won by virtue of creating better chances and taking a high percentage of them. Badge was on fire and scored all 5, with some assistance of some good passing from his team.

Man of the Match: Fairly straight forward choice with Badge scoring 5, he wins this one quite comfortably.